The Kansas City Chiefs have decided to keep Harrison Butker as their starting kicker for Sunday's road game against the Denver Broncos, despite a string of missed field goals that culminated in a 20-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7.
Head coach Andy Reid said Butker will "probably" retain the role, while special teams coordinator Dave Toub was more definitive: "Butker is our kicker. We're trying to improve Butker. We're trying to get Butker right. That's what this whole thing is about."
Butker has converted just 11 of 16 field-goal attempts this season, a 68.8% rate that is the worst of his career. He missed two attempts against the Seahawks.
Prompted by the struggles, the Chiefs brought in three kickers for tryouts this week and signed eight-time All-Pro Justin Tucker to the practice squad. Tucker, who missed the entire 2025 season while serving a 10-game suspension following an investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviors during massage sessions, became eligible to sign ahead of the 2026 season.
Toub said Tucker went 30-for-30 in a tryout that included 10 extra points, seven field goals from beyond 50 yards, and one 60-yard attempt, with 60% of his kicks landing inside a six-foot cylinder in the middle of the uprights. "He was off-the-charts good. That's the reason why we signed him to the practice squad," Toub said.
The addition of Tucker is intended not only as a backup option but also as a mentorship resource for Butker. Toub noted that Tucker recently dealt with accuracy struggles of his own and could help Butker rediscover his typical form. Butker went 10-for-10 on field-goal attempts at Wednesday's practice despite 28-mph wind gusts.
Tucker will not handle kicking duties against the Broncos, but his presence provides a viable alternative should Butker continue to falter.
